Actions (Action)

The core of the Action system is about heroic action, and that is described in great detail.

Initiative

The Action system uses an initiative system of shots to determine the order of action. Each character has a shot counter, and the Gm counts down shots on this shot counter, beginning at the highest shot rolled. As each character's shot comes up, she gets to take an action, which reduces her shot counter. As the countdown progresses, she will get to act again, until out of shots for the round. Then initiative is re-rolled and the shot count starts over.

Actions normally take three shots. This means that characters normally act every third shot, acting again and again in the same order until the round is over. However,there are many exceptions, and characters can lose shots for a variety of reasons.

If two characters come on the same shot, player characters always act before NPCs. If there is still a tie, the character with the highest Reflexes goes first.

Actions

There are a number of different types of actions that come into play. Most of these are a part of the various Schticks characters can learn, but some are available to everyone.

Basic Action

3 Shots

This is the basic three-shot action described above. When your shot count comes up you take the action, determine the result, and reduce your shot counter by three. Most actions are basic actions.

Reflex Action

1 Shot

These are done in response to another's action. Each reflex action has a specific trigger event; when this occurs, you perform the reflex action immediately and before the thing that triggered it happens. You then reduce your shot counter by one. A reflex action can never itself be the trigger for another reflex action; this means that reflex actions have a slight edge, and that you cannot defend against or counterattack against them.

Typical reflex actions are are Schticks involving dodging, parrying, counterspelling, riposting, and so on. There is one reflex action everyone can make, the dodge.

Focus Action

Characters in Action can focus, which means that they have built up their concentration, willpower, chi, and/or magic to a peak, enabling Limit Break, stunts even more stupendous than what is normally possible. To do so, you must first focus. You are focused until you use a Limit Break or something happens to break your focus. All focus actions are Schticks.

Finishing Action

This is a special type of reflex action. Whenever you knock an opponent out, you can take a finishing action. All finishing actions are Schticks.

Stance

0-Shots, between rounds.

A stance is done before the round starts and before rolling for initiative. It is used to adopt a certain pose and style, and affects your actions for the round to come. Many stances are enablers for reflex actions or otherwise improve your other actions.

Limit Break